Manchester College offers to take students from affected areas.

Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., is offering to enroll students whose colleges or universities are closed because of Hurricane Katrina, among many other colleges and universities across the country making similar offers. In addition, the college community is uniting to raise funds and donate blood for the victims of the disaster, and is inviting its neighbors to join the relief effort, according to a press release.

Manchester will speed financial aid packaging and course registration, and waive application and late-registration fees to the transfer students, said David F. McFadden, executive vice president. The offer is extended to students already admitted or enrolled in four-year baccalaureate colleges or universities closed by the hurricane and resulting flooding.

Meanwhile, Manchester is collecting monetary donations in collaboration with the Church of the Brethren and Church World Service, and is working with the Red Cross to conduct a special blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 20. For more see www.manchester.edu.